Jump directly to the content
ROYAL RANKING

Meghan Markle rides baby name trend as Archie rises in popularity – while Harry drops down below George

JUST like her royal fashion choices, Meghan Markle is bang on trend when it comes to her choice of baby names.

The moniker Archie - which the Duchess of Sussex, 38, gave to her three-month-old son born in May - has soared in popularity in the UK, according to the latest official statistics.

 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear to be riding the baby name trends as Archie jumps in popularity
3
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear to be riding the baby name trends as Archie jumps in popularityCredit: Rex Features

In the list of top baby names for boys, released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of babies called Archie rose between 2017 and 2018.

Indeed, the young royal's first name jumped two places from 18th to 16th.

It's sure to prove even more popular when the figures for 2019 are released next year.

Meanwhile, Archie's dad Prince Harry, 34, saw his name decline in popularity during the same time.

 The Duke of Sussex's name fell from second to third place below nephew Prince George
3
The Duke of Sussex's name fell from second to third place below nephew Prince GeorgeCredit: Getty - Contributor

The Duke of Sussex's first name fell from second place to third in 12 months.

He was knocked off the runner-up spot by George - the name of his six-year-old nephew - which now ranks at number two behind Oliver.

Harry's older brother, Prince William, 37, didn't fare much better in the new rankings.

The Duke of Cambridge's first name dropped from 11th to 14th place.

How popular are the names of male royals?

  • Harry - 3rd (down one place)
  • William - 14th (down three places)
  • Archie - 16th (up two places)
  • Louis - 69th (up 13 places)

However, the most significant change yet among the royal males' names was seen in one-year-old Prince Louis.

The arrival of the youngest child of William and Kate Middleton, 37, appears to have triggered a steep rise in popularity.

 Prince Louis' name shot up 13 places in the year of his birth
3
Prince Louis' name shot up 13 places in the year of his birthCredit: Reuters

Louis went from 82nd spot in 2017 to 69th in 2018 - the year of the little prince's birth.

Other boys names to make the top ten include Noah, Jack, Leo, Arthur, Muhammad, Oscar and Charlie.

Earlier today, we told you how Kate Middleton will take Princess Charlotte to her first day of school next week.

We also revealed how Meghan and Harry have shared a sweet video message from a Nepali children's charity.

And the Queen invited William to "quietly intimate" lunches so he wouldn't "crack up" like Princess Diana.

Meghan Markle reveals she shops at local Kensington Market in Toronto
Topics